How are the birds doing?

[BDR]

Anyone have any input on how the Pheasant population is doing, Seems like weve had a lot of snow but not real big storms so thats good . There was a big blast of sub-zeros that must have had some impact?

Brian

[Ruttin' Buck]

I'd say they're doing just fine. I've been sledding quite a bit the past 3-4 weekends. We usually are early birds, hit the trail by 7 AM. We have seen pheasants by the dozens. Groups of 10-15 are not uncommon. They've been near almost every swamp we pass in the early morning, out picking seed and sand out of the fields where the sleds dredge it up....huh, guess us snowmobilers are good for something!

I would estimate the numbers to be very even between hens and roosters. I've seen alot of mature males.

If we don't get any more snow the pheasants and deer should show bumper populations this year IMO.

[BDR]

Thats good to hear. I thought last year was great this year should only be better if they get good nesting conditions.

Brian

[Mayfly]

Winters always are a little tough, especially in the Dakotas where bird numbers are great. I think that a very critical time of year for the birds is spring. Lots of rain can devastate a good hatch, or it could devastate the nests.

[BLACKJACK]

I've been seeing alot on the way home, one night I counted 28 in different spots. When you start seeing them is when they are in danger, open fields expose them to predators and roadsides to cars, I've already seen a few roadkills, its amazing how many people DON'T slow down!! Now with 40 degree weather and the fields melting down, they should do great. If we don't get a killer March storm and we get some dry weather for nesting, it should be a good summer and fall!!

[doubleUcubed]

ditto what black had to say. Lot's of birds around the Southern part of Kandiyohi County. Same with the deer numbers. If we don't get hit with a bad storm and the spring rains are normal it should be a super year for both the birds and deer!

[The Bronco Kid]

I took my dog out to SD two weeks ago and walked him through the fields for a work out and I was still poppin them up 100 to 200 at a time. It was unbelievable. They haven't had as much snow as we have had. I did see 3 roosters on my way to Maple Lake the other.

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